AFFECT OF FREEZING TEMPERATURES ON PLANTS AROUND ATLANTA
Dixie Speck, author
The first week of 2010 has certainly brought colder, freezing temperatures for a longer length of time than we normally experience. Night time freezing temperatures are normal this time of year; however, we usually reach temperatures above freezing during the day. Therefore, our tender plants and winter annuals do droop down at night during freezing periods, but will be relieved by temperatures above freezing during the day and usually perk back up.
That relief from freezing temperatures during the day has not occurred this week and some plants look like they may not recover. But do not dispair! If the proper shrubs, evergreen perennials, and winter annuals (ex. pansies, kale, cabbage) have been planted, they will recover when the weather warms into the 40's.
Some evergreen shrubs such as Fatsia have softer stems and will survive, but may need to have some of the longer stems cutback if damaged. Some of the colorful, leafy annual plants that I am seeing, such as ornamental Kale, may need to be completely cutback and given time to grow back once we warm back up above freezing daytime temperatures. And most pansy flowers will need to be pinched off then new ones will grow in.
If you have a question or concern about a particular plant, you are welcome to email me at dixie@solterralandscape.com.
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